After watching the caterpillars grow and make their cocoons, we waited what seemed liked a very long time and finally all of the butterflies emerged. When the time came to let them go, all of the students read aloud a letter they had written to the butterflies.
Most of the butterflies were very cooperative and stayed around long enough for everyone to have at least one turn to hold them. I got pictures of as many of these wonderful moments as I could!

For twenty three days we waited patiently while the pheasants grew inside their eggs in the incubator in our classroom. Waiting was not easy!
This week, they finally began to hatch. Several of the eggs hatched as the students watched–an incredible learning experience.
The chicks have been given to the Wildlife Federation who will raise them until they are able to look after themselves. Then, they will release them into the wild.

With all of the jars and bags of ladybugs that have been coming to school, we decided we needed to make a ladybug terrarium. This project was planned and created by the students. They gathered dirt, grass, leaves, sticks and of course lots of ladybugs. The terrarium is now in our classroom, providing lots of entertainment and hands on learning. Just ask your child what he/she has learned about ladybugs.

After watching our tiny caterpillars eat and grow and eat and grow, they finally each made their own chrysalis. Then we waited impatiently. This last week, much to the students delight, they emerged. When we released them, some of the butterflies cooperated and perched on students’ hands before flying away!

This week we had two more very special visitors in our classroom. These magpies, like the hawk we saw a few weeks ago, are in rehabilitation with Wild and Cared Free Wildlife Rehabilitation. The children are so fortunate to be able to get up so close to animals they would not normally have a chance to see.

After weeks of patient waiting, the students at last got a chance to watch an egg wiggle and roll as the chick inside tried to free itself, and then see the magical moment when it burst from the egg. Since we did not have a good hatch, Mr. Silversides loaned us some of his chicks for a chance to get acquainted before they are given to the Wildlife Federation to raise and release into the wild. So much excitement!

Earlier this week we had a chance to visit the Art Museum again and see some of the works of Zachari Logan who likes to draw things from nature. One picture in particular was a drawing of himself with his hair made of leaves, animals, flowers, insects and other natural things. With the help of Christy, the students made some lovely rubbings and drawings of themselves with their hair also made up of natural things.

After what seemed like a very long wait, the pheasant eggs arrived for our incubator. For the next 23 days we will stand in for a mother pheasant, keeping the incubator warm and moist and turning the eggs several times each day. The x’s and o’s on the eggs are to help us be sure we turn all of the eggs each time.